The singer-songwriter, who is well-known for playing piano in her performances, has signed up to write the songs for a musical version of Lydia R. Diamond’s play, Stick Fly.

Keys said: “This is a story that everybody can relate to. I’m passionate about this play because it is so beautifully written and portrays Black America in a way that we don’t often get to see in entertainment. I know it will touch audiences who will find a piece of themselves somewhere inside this house.”

The play revolves around the wealthy LeVay family who take a holiday to Martha’s Vineyard. The family’s two sons bring home their significant others – one a fiancée, the other a new girlfriend – for the first time. Soon all civilities are dropped, insecurities are quickly revealed and the family begins to fall apart.

Keys is following in the footsteps of U2’s Bono and The Edge who composed the score for the much-criticised Spiderman musical Turn Off The Dark. The production finally held its official opening in June this year after spending almost eight months showing as ‘previews.’ The show was plagued with technical difficulties from the start, receiving critical reviews from audiences and reviewers.

‘Stick Fly’ will be shown at the Cort Theatre on Broadway, with performances beginning on November 18th. The production will officially open on December 8th.